Untitled - the Digital Library of Georgia

316 GEORGIA AND GEORGIANS
(South Face.)
1759 1829
Sacred to the Memory of BRIGADIER-GENEBAL DANIEL
STEWART, a Gallant Soldier in the Revolution and an Officer
Brevetted for Bravery in the Indian Wars.
(West Face.)
(The west face is fittingly adorned by a copper relief representa
tion of Midway Church, as perfect as skill and enduring copper can
make it. No inscription whatever.)
THE DEATH OP GEN. JAMES SCREVEN.—On the morning of November 22, 1778,
Gen. James Sereven fell mortally wounded within a mile and a half of Midway
Church. At the head of twenty militia, men he had just come to the support of
Col. John White, who was expecting battle at this point with the enemy under
Colonel Prevost, the latter having entered the settlement by way of Bast Florida.
The British officer was in. command of 100 regulars and was re-enforced by the
Tory leader McGirth, whose force consisted of 300 Indians and refugees. Both
sides, by a singular coincidence, agreed upon the same skirt of woods for the
purposes of an ambuscade. They also arrived upon the ground almost simul
taneously, and, in the firing, General Sereven was struck. According to Colonel
Jones he was killed after falling into the hands of the enemy, who were thus guilty
of an act repugnant to civilized warfare.*
The same account is substantially given by David Ramsay. In the latter's
"History of the Revolution in South Carolina" appears this statement: "General
Sereven received a wound from a musket ball, in consequence of which he fell from
his horse. After he fell, several of the British came up and, upbraiding him for
the manner in which Captain Moore of Browne's Bangers had been killed, discharged
their pieces at him."
Judge Charlton, in his "Life of Major-General James Jackson," after referring
to Doctor Ramsay's statement, says: "My notes and memoirs afford me an account
somewhat different. They inform me that the General was on feet reconnoitering
on the left flank of the enemy's position on Spencer's Hill. On this spot an
ambuscade had been formed and he fell in the midst of it."
Benjamin Baker, who was for twenty-seven years clerk of the Midway Church,
supports the latter view. In his '' Published Records,'' he says: '' Sabbath morn
ing, 22nd. Our party retreated yesterday to the meeting house, where, a recruit of
some hundreds joined them with some artillery, and some of our party crossed the
swamp, and coming near a thicket where they expected an ambuscade might probably
occur, Colonel James Sereven and one more went forward to examine. The Colonel
and one Continental officer and Mr. Judah Lewis were shot down. The Colonel had
three wounds, the other two were killed. A flag was sent and brought off the
Colonel. Monday 23rd. We hear the Colonel still lives."
This account is probably correct. It emanates from the locality in question
and was written on the very day of the battle.
McCall relates that Colonel White sent a flag to Colonel Prevost by Maj. John
Haborsham requesting permission to furnish General Sereven with such medical aid
as his situation might require. The American doctors were permitted to attend
him, but his wounds were found to be of such a nature that they conld not save him.
In the published correspondence Colonel Prevost apologizes for the alleged act of
ono of his rangers in shooting General Sereven after he was disabled.
The gallant officer was taken first to the vestry house of Midway Church, thence
to the residence of Johii Winn, some two miles off, and finally to the home of John
EHiott. Sr., where lie died. He was borne from the enemy's ground by a detachment
of eight men, furnished by Colonel Prevost. The burial of General Sereven took
'""History of Georgia," Vol. II, p. 306, Boston, 1.886. The citations which
follow have been furnished by T. F. Sereven, in a sketch prepared for "Men of
Mark in Georgia," Vol. I, pp. 296-297, Atlanta, 1906.